Recent Posts

Sound Transit Brokers Streetcar Swap Between Portland and Tacoma

At first glance, the deal appears to be heavily lopsided in favor of Sound Transit, which will trade aging Skoda streetcars for ones that are essentially brand new. But the Brookville cars leaving Portland experienced significant issues that could follow them to Tacoma.
Wilson holds a bullhorn and speaks at a pre-pandemic rally standing in from or a big yellow Transit Riders Union banner.

Op-Ed: Looking Back at the Movement That Elected Katie Wilson

John Burbank looks back to a series of progressive victories that paved the way for the most significant mayoral victory in Seattle over the past 100 years, with Katie Wilson about to take office.

Everything You Need to Know About Federal Way Link

The three stations of the eight-mile Federal Way Link light rail extension open December 6. Here's your guide to the new line and the opening day festivities.

Op-Ed: Sound Transit’s Station Naming Policy Has Run Amok Again

With three “downtown” stations and counting, Sound Transit must overhaul its station naming policy and name its stations less confusingly so that riders can easily navigate a growing system.

Op-Ed: Seattle Council Must Reject Harrell’s Police Guild Contract, Demand Accountability

Seattle's proposed police union contract once again fails to deliver even the meager reforms and accountability promised eight years ago, opines Howard Gale. With Seattle City Council set to vote on the contract this month, here's the case for rejecting it.
An aerial image shows an elevated light rail station next to a big staging area and a busy collector road.

Federal Way Link Stations Not Seeing a Housing Boom

Homebuilding activity is anemic near the three Sound Transit light rail stations opening this month in South King County. The Urbanist reviews the 3,000-plus homes in the development pipeline, and explores the obstacles standing in the way.

Wilson, Mosqueda, Fain, and McLeod Join Sound Transit Board

Sound Transit's four new members join other reappointments and board members whose terms are not up for renewal. This new freshman class will not have much time to get adjusted before being faced with major decisions around the future of the region's transit system.

A Sneak Peek at Shared Streets Coming to Seattle

A trove of documents obtained from City of Seattle through public disclosure requests shows work is proceeding gradually but steadily inside the transportation department to take advantage of Washington State's new Shared Streets Law. Pedestrianizing a number of streets could be around the corner.